David et al
   
  While in Maine last summer I came across an American Bittern walking around a well-manicured front yard.  It was early in the morning but well after sunrise and surely a summer visitor not a migrant.  I suspect it was looking for worms or other food and that this may have been a regular feeding place. It was close to a river with suitable (normal) Bittern habitat.  
   
  Once it realized it had been spotted, it froze in the classic posture, with neck and head pointed upwards.  Not very effective on a lawn.
   
  Regards
   
  Clive Harris
  Cabin John, MD

David Mozurkewich <> wrote: 
  The nearest water -- a concrete-lined creek bed -- is about three-
quarters of a mile away. The nearest real wetlands is more than a mile
in the opposite direction. I thought Yellow-crowned Night-Herons away
from the bay usually fed on crayfish. How likely are they to feed on a
dry, upland lawn? My guess is not very. It's likely this bird was
migrating north last night. At sunrise, not knowing where to find good
habitat, it did the best it could and put down in this yard. After
resting and feeding, it's probably already continuing its northbound
journey.

Perhaps birds really do have wings and any species can show up anywhere.

David Mozurkewich
Lynette Fullerton
April 6, 2006
Seabrook, PG, MD